Identification of Immunosuppressive CAF Subsets and Their Role in the Tumor Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23K15452
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55010:General surgery and pediatric surgery-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: MATSUMOTO Sokichi 九州大学, 医学研究院, 共同研究員 (60963626)
• Project Period (FY): 2023-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 腫瘍関連線維芽細胞 / CAF

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study has important scientific and social value. It revealed that a specific group of fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer helps create an environment that suppresses the immune system. By identifying a key protein (protein X) involved in this process and showing that targeting it can reduce tumor growth, the research opens the door to new treatment strategies. These findings may lead to more effective therapies, especially when combined with immunotherapy, for a cancer that is currently very difficult to treat.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、膵癌の免疫抑制性腫瘍微小環境の形成に関与するCAFの特定と、その標的化による腫瘍制御の可能性を示した点で学術的に重要である。特に蛋白Xの同定と機能解析は、膵癌に対する新たな免疫併用療法の開発に寄与する成果であり、治療抵抗性の高い膵癌に対する革新的アプローチとして、社会的にも大きな意義を持つ。